Messenger - Vol. 4, No. 3, Page 3
1995
The Friends of Goodstay Gardens

     In April, the Friends of Goodstay Gardens launched a $300,000
campaign tointegrate its magnolia walkway with the grounds of Roxana
C. and S. Samuel Arsht Hall, home of the Academy of Lifelong Learning
and the Division of Continuing Education on the Wilmington campus.
     A garden party and the dedication of a commemorative plaque
located at the garden entrance marked the start of the public
campaign. The Friends already have raised $50,000 toward the goal.
     The plaque recognizes the vision and generosity of the
"accomplished artist and avid gardener Ellen du Pont Wheelwright and
her husband, Robert Wheelwright, nationally known landscape architect"
who expanded the Tudor-style garden "to reflect beauty, symmetry and
lovely color combinations," enhancing the garden further with the
magnolia walk in 1937. Originally known as Green Hill Farm and later
renamed Bon Sejour. or Goodstay, the estate was bequeathed to the
University of Delaware in 1968.
     Also on exhibit at the dedication was a landscape design to
refurbish the entire lower garden, linking it harmoniously with the
newer Arsht Hall and its surrounding areas. This physical and
horticultural design, by  Rodney Robinson, Delaware '74, '75, of CLR
Designs Inc. in Philadelphia,  was commissioned last year.
     A major portion of the project will begin next year with the
addition of paving, lighting, drainage, walls and steps at Arsht Hall.
Soil preparation and the installation of a few larger shade trees will
complete this stage, which is estimated to cost about $160,000.
     Refurbishing  of the magnolia walk will begin  in 1997 with major
planting of trees and shrubs, restoration of the reflecting pool and
the addition of benches. This stage is expected to cost about $95,000.
     Integration of the facility's two parking lots and final
plantings will make up the third stage in 1998.
     According to Helen Eliason, co-chairperson of the Friends of
Goodstay Gardens, refurbishing the garden will fulfill a long-held
plan to make this area the core of the University's Wilmington campus.
Eliason's efforts on behalf of the garden continue a long-standing
family tradition of supporting the University. Her husband's uncle,
James Bayard Eliason, provided a $3.4 million bequest to UD in 1975.
     For further information, call Eliason at (302) 573-4450 or write
to Friends of Goodstay Gardens in care of the Goodstay Center, 2600
Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington, DE 19806.